Entrepreneurship Minor and Certificate

Ignite Your Ideas With an Entrepreneurship Minor

Entrepreneurs are dreamers. Go-getters. Believers. Are you ready to become the next innovator? The entrepreneurship minor at the University of San Diego will tap into your entrepreneurial mindset and equip you with the resources and skills to start your own business, become an entrepreneur at a large company or join a fast-paced startup team.

Throughout the program, you will learn essential skills needed to start a business like choosing a business model, writing a business plan and dealing with basic legal issues. You will also learn how to hone your creative thoughts into a viable business idea and practice how to pitch your idea to attract investments or get approval from a boss. And even more importantly, you will learn how to be a socially innovative thinker, one who uses business to make a positive impact in your community.

Minor Curriculum

Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The entrepreneurial mindset is indispensable for the future of work: it emphasizes creativity, resilience, risk taking, critical thinking, problem solving, as well as interpersonal and communication skills. Coursework in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate program is project-based and designed to prepare students to start their own businesses or add value to existing businesses through innovative ideas. Along with the required curriculum, students participate in an entrepreneurship competition hosted by the Knauss School of Business.

This 12-unit certificate program is available to degree-seeking undergraduate students.

Certificate Curriculum

Unleash Your Inner Entrepreneur at USD

Embark on the Toreropreneur Journey

Entrepreneurs are not born, they are made — and many are made here at USD. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Catalyzer is here to guide you every step of the way as you follow the Toreropreneur Journey.

Win Real Money to Kickstart Your Business

Compete against USD students at the Venture Vetting (V2) Competition for a chance to pitch your business idea to real angel investors — and win up to $25,000.

Build a community to fuel your ambition

Join the Entrepreneurship Club to build relationships with peers who share your entrepreneurial ambition, hear from founders in the San Diego startup community and make lifelong memories.

Fowler Business Concept Challenge

Meet The Challengers: 16 Student Teams Prepare to Compete in the Fowler Business Concept Challenge

The Knauss School of Business is pleased to announce the semifinalist teams competing in the 6th Annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge (FBCC) on December 6. These 16 teams were selected from among 52 unique submissions, and represent four USD schools — the Knauss School of Business, the Kroc School of Peace Studies, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences.

Samantha Pantazopoulos

Vizer CEO Samantha Pantazopoulos is Democratizing Wellness 10,000 Steps at a Time

We’ve heard it before — the easiest way to maintain your health or lose weight is to get 10,000 steps or at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Jorge Muñiz

Jorge Muñiz ’23: ‘Deck the Palms’ Wins Grand Prize at FBCC

MBA student and U.S. Navy veteran, Jorge Muñiz, won a grand prize scholarship of $15,000 at the University of San Diego’s Fowler Business Concept Challenge (FBCC) on Friday, Dec. 2.

Sioma Waisburd

Sioma Waisburd ‘03: Ambassador for Culture, Community and Avocados

Born and raised in Mexico, Sioma Waisburd ‘03 (BBA, BA) is the co-founder of Chosen Foods and a passionate ambassador for both his culture and the extraordinary nutritional benefits of ancient foods including avocado oil. We caught up with Sioma recently to talk about his Hispanic heritage and how it has influenced his personal and professional endeavors today. His stories and experiences demonstrate an unwavering dedication to do good for society, especially within the Hispanic community.

Geraldine Ridaura

Geraldine Ridaura '11

When Geraldine Ridaura was pursuing her degree in business administration at the University of San Diego, turning the ancient Japanese ritual of matcha into a profitable business seemed about as likely as actually attending an ancient Japanese tea ceremony.

Innovate Your Future

Entrepreneurship training isn't just for entrepreneurs. In today's ever-evolving work environment, innovative thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset are essential skills that will help you thrive professionally — and in life. To enroll in USD's entrepreneurship minor or certificate program, contact Academic Advising.

Meet the Department See Curriculum